Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 35
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This is a very basic percentage calculation problem, asking for 70% of 50. Such questions check fundamental understanding of what a percentage means and how to convert a percentage into its numerical value relative to a given quantity. Mastering simple problems like this is essential before moving on to more complex percentage applications in profit and loss, discounts, and data interpretation.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To find X% of a number N, we convert X% to a fraction X / 100 and then multiply this fraction by N. Here X = 70 and N = 50. So we calculate (70 / 100) * 50. Another approach is to interpret 70% as 7 tenths (0.7) and then multiply 0.7 by 50. Both approaches lead to the same answer and reinforce the link between percentages, fractions, and decimals.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Express 70% as a fraction: 70% = 70 / 100.
Step 2: Simplify 70 / 100 = 7 / 10.
Step 3: Multiply this fraction by 50: (7 / 10) * 50.
Step 4: Compute (7 / 10) * 50 = 7 * 5 = 35.
Step 5: Therefore, 70% of 50 is equal to 35.
Verification / Alternative check:
Use decimal form of the percentage. 70% can be written as 0.70. Multiply 0.70 by 50. That is 0.70 * 50 = 35. Both the fraction method and decimal method give the same answer, confirming that the calculation is correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
38, 42, and 44 are larger than 35 and would correspond to more than 70% of 50, which is not possible. For example, 42 would be 84% of 50. The option 28 is 56% of 50, which is too low. Only 35 exactly equals 70% of 50 and matches the proper calculation method.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mistakenly divide 50 by 70 instead of multiplying by 70 / 100, or they confuse 70% of 50 with 50% of 70. Another error is to misinterpret 70% as 0.07 rather than 0.70. Remember that to convert a percent to a decimal, you divide by 100, so 70 becomes 0.70, not 0.07. Careful handling of percentage conversion prevents these mistakes.
Final Answer:
The value of 70% of 50 is 35.
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